Comment

Archbishop is good example to all of us

JOHN Sentamu is an Archbishop of York who has never been afraid to make a bold political statement.

In 2007 he famously took off his dog collar and cut it up on the Andrew Marr show – saying he’d never wear it again until Robert Mugabe’s “corrupt and oppressive” regime was removed from office.

In 2006, meanwhile, he staged a week-long vigil and fast for peace inside York Minster to draw attention to the plight of those in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. He had his head shaved, went on a water diet – and slept rough in a tent inside the cathedral.

Yesterday, he began a second week-long fast and vigil, this time to pray for hope and peace for those caught up in conflict, oppression and poverty around the world.

Throughout the week, he will be praying on the hour, every hour, from 6am to 6pm.

In a statement released before his vigil began, he urged Christians everywhere to “join me in praying especially for those places in our global village devastated by militarism, idolatry ... dictatorships and abject poverty.”

He even quoted Gandhi saying: . Urging people to display white linen in their windows as a symbol of support, he said:“All people of good will may do this! Be the change you want to see”.

It is inspiring to see a senior church figure willing to lead like this.

We hope good people everywhere will take heart from his example and be more willing themselves to speak out against the fanaticism and violence that blights the lives of so many.

I agree with what the Archbishop says. Most problems in the middle east have been caused by the west. His idea of taking in refugees won't go down well with the government because British and American governments have invaded Iraq to steal their oil, and our governments don't want Isis taking over Iraq because they might want us to buy the oil. Assuming they'll sell us oil anyway. If we weren't stealing their oil Iraq by now would be one of the richest countries in the world. My opinion for what it's worth is that the civil war in Iraq was started by us allowing Saddam Hussein to be killed rather than putting him on trial in the Hague for war crimes. If british Muslims want to go and free Syria from tyranny let them go, our government are frightened they'll be told by Isis anything I've written here and come back and bomb us. They can always cancel their passports though once they go to Syria. The Archbishop is a very good hearted man who knows about genocide but nothing will come of his ideas.

I agree with what the Archbishop says. Most problems in the middle east have been caused by the west. His idea of taking in refugees won't go down well with the government because British and American governments have invaded Iraq to steal their oil, and our governments don't want Isis taking over Iraq because they might want us to buy the oil. Assuming they'll sell us oil anyway. If we weren't stealing their oil Iraq by now would be one of the richest countries in the world. My opinion for what it's worth is that the civil war in Iraq was started by us allowing Saddam Hussein to be killed rather than putting him on trial in the Hague for war crimes. If british Muslims want to go and free Syria from tyranny let them go, our government are frightened they'll be told by Isis anything I've written here and come back and bomb us. They can always cancel their passports though once they go to Syria. The Archbishop is a very good hearted man who knows about genocide but nothing will come of his ideas.C Danton